Bath Time/Play Time/Nap Time by S. Hughes

Abstract

Hughes, Susan. Bath Time. Annick Press, 2017.Hughes, Susan. Play Time. Annick Press, 2017.Hughes, Susan. Nap Time. Annick Press, 2017. This is a set of board books on the activities of daily living: sleeping, bathing, and leisure. The concepts are introduced using high resolution stock images of animals paired with words related to the pictures.The “Bath Time” book illustrates the differences and similarities between humans and animals interacting with water. Actions like soaking and splashing are shown, and activities unique to animals like fluttering and licking are depicted. The “Play Time” book shows animals interacting in different environments: trees, snow, water, ice and grass. It also shows animals playing alone and together. The play-words used in this book can be applied to human interaction. The “Nap Time” book’s images show animals sleeping and yawning much like humans would, and shows the natural ways animals sleep that are different from humans (upside down, or in a tree). This book introduces synonymous words for napping like dozing and snoozing, and associative words like snuggling and cuddling.Each book concludes with the question “How do you nap/play/bathe?” which opens up opportunities to talk about these activities, learn word association, and learn about differences between animals and humans. These books bring a new perspective to these activities through the use of animal photos and would be appropriate for prekindergarten children. I would recommend them for public libraries.Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 starsReviewer: Tabatha Plesuk Tabatha Plesuk, is a first year MLIS Student at the University of Alberta (who spends free time teaching dance to children ages three to fourteen) with an enthusiasm for children’s books.